Selective plaiting machine



July 13, 1943. J. J. CAHILL 2,323,896

' SELECTIVE PLEATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l July13, 1943. J. J. CAHILL SELECTIVE PLEA'IING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 6, 19403 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY July 13,.1943. J. J. CAHILL 3,

SELEC'I'IVE PLEATING MACHINE Filed Nov; 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3IIIIIIIA A; mlmmlmlnrm 1 n mung; I 2

Patented July 13, 1943 2,323,896 SELECTIVE PLAITING MACHINE John J.Cahill, New York, N. Y., assignor to Mutual Machine Company, New York,N. Y., a

copartnership Application November 6, 1940, Serial No. 364,558

22 Claims.

The present invention relates to plaiting machines, and aims to providecertain improvements therein. More particularly it relates to the typeof machines commonly used to make so-called Crystal plaits.

Such plaiting machines generally consist of two upright side framesbetween which extends a comparatively large cylinder or roller, which isusually held non-rotatable by set screws or other means. The cylinder isheated, and the material to be plaited is passed thereover. In order topress the material tightly against a portion of the surface of thecylinder, a plurality of flexible metal bands are usually secured to across frame near the front of the machine and extend transversely acrossa part of the surface of'the cylinder. Each band is usually attached toa spring which in turn is connected to a cross bar at the back of themachine. Variable tension can be applied to the springs and bands, andusually an intermediate cross bar is provided which can be adjusted topress the material into more or less intimate contact with the surfaceof the cylinder. plaited is usually fed between upper and lower layersof paper which pass over the cylinder and beneath the bands. The feedingoperation is effected by means of a reciprocating plaiting knife orcomb, having a plurality of teeth thereon which fit throughcorrespondingly located slots in the bands. The knife bears against thesurface of the cylinder and crimps the paper and material simultaneouslywith the forward feeding operation. In this type of machine the rolleris a non-feeding roller. The knife serves the dual purpose of plaitingthe material and feeding it forward on the downward or effective strokeof the knife. As the plaiting and feeding operations are interdependentin Crystal plaiting machines, it follows that the material isnecessarily plaited over its entire length. With this type of machine itis difiicult to provide unplaited areas on the cloth.

An object of the present invention is to provide plaiting machines ofthe type described with a mechanism which may be brought into play atthe will of the operator for providing unplaited spaces of apredetermined width and locat on on the material to be plaited as itpasses through the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selector means forselectively varying the width of such unplaited spaces and theirlocation.

A further obi-cot of the invention is to provide a machine of the typedescribed with a mecha- The material to be nism for selectively varyingthe character of the plaiting operation and the plaited product.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the descriptionprogresses.

With these objects in View, the present invention provides a plaitingmachine of the type described with a mechanism which normally restrainsthe plaiting roller or cylinder from rotation' about its axis, andwhich, hence, permits the formation of Crystal plaits in the customarymanner by the relative movement of the plaiting knife across the surfaceof the roller on its effective stroke. The mechanism also is providedwith means for periodically rotating the cylinder about its axis intimed relation with the plaiting knife on its effective stroke, whichcauses the fabric to be fed forwardly unplaited or in a modified plaitedcondition. A selector means is also provided which enables the operatorto determine in advance the width of plaited and unplaited areas that hedesires on the fabric, such mechanism operating automatically torestrain the roller from turning while the selected number of plaits arebeing made, and automatically to cause the roller to turn apredetermined distance to provide an unplaited or modified plaited spaceof the width desired.

In the accompanying drawings'illustrating the preferred form of theinvention:

Figure 1 is a transverse section through a Crystal plaiting machine ofthe type described, and to which the present invention is particularlyapplicable;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a Crystal plaitingmachine constructed ac,- c'ording to the present invention, the parts ofthe spacing mechanism being shown in the position they occupy forrotating the plaiting roller;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the spacing mechanism shown in Fig.2, with the exception that theparts of the mechanism are shown in theposition they occupy for arresting rotation of the roller; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in end elevation and partly in section,taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of thearrows; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the plaiting knife eccentricassembly and is taken along the line '5--5 in' Fig. lvwhen viewed in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-1 in Fig. 3 andviewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the index head assembly whichselectively controls the operation of the spacing mechanism, and istaken along the line 3-8 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 illustrates a plaited swatch of material of the type obtainablewith machines constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of theinvention, the plaitingmachine shown is a Crystal plaiting machinehaving a pair of side frames I!) which serve to support most of theoperative mechanism of the machine. The frames in turn are supported bydepending legs I2. The machine has a plaiting roller I3 suitablysupported in the side frames; a plurality of flexible metal bands I30which are disposed transversely of the roller; the upper end of eachband is secured to a cross bar I4 and the lower end of each band issecured to a coil spring I 5; each coil spring in turn is secured to ahorizontal transverse bar I6 which may be moved inwardly or outwardly toincrease the tension on the bands. An intermediate tensioning bar I!bears against the bands and may be adjusted by means of screws I8 topress the bands into more or less intimate contact with the roller I3. Aplaiting knife or comb I9 is supported in a knife bar which in turn isconnected to a strap member 2I surrounding an eccentric. The eccentricmechanism indicated generally at 22 in Fig. 1 is mounted on the maindrive shaft 23 and imparts a reciprocatory motion to the plaiting knifeI9. The working edge of the knife is provided with a plurality of smallteeth which protrude through correspondingly located slots in theflexible metal bands I3a.

A continuous sheet of paper 24 from an upper paper roll 24a is leddownwardly around idler roller 25 and then over the plaiting roller I3beneath the bands I 3a. A second continuous sheet of paper 26 is ledfrom a lower paper roll 26a over an intermediate idler roller 21 andthen over the plaiting roller I3 and beneath the bands I3a. Cloth,fabric or other material to be plaited is fed into the machine betweenthe two continuous sheets of paper at their point of meeting at idlerrollers 25, 21. The downward or effective working stroke of the plaitingknife I9 as it moves across a portion of the surface of the stationaryplaiting roller I3 plaits the papers and fabric and feeds them forwardlyuntil they are deposited in a receiving pan 28.

The machine as thus far described is found in the prior art and is theconventional type of Crystal plaiting machine. The plaiting roller isheld stationary at all times and the plaiting and feeding operations areperformed by the plaiting knife on the downward or effective workingstroke.

According to the present invention a plate 3| is secured to one of theside frames I0 by means of cap screws, not shown, said plate serving asa support for many of the parts of the spacing mechanism mountedthereon. The plate 3| is provided with a hole 33 of sufiiciently largediameter to receive the neck 34 of the plaiting roller I3, which fitsloosely therethrough. The neck preferably is of reduced diameter, and isprovided with an extension member 34a secured thereto.

A double ratchet wheel assembly 36 comprising an inner wheel 36a and anouter Wheel 3611 is suitably secured to the plaiting roller neck 34 andextension 3411 and is adapted for rotation therewith. The inner ratchetwheel 36a is provided with a hub 31 to which is attached the outer wheel3% by means of cap screws 38. The hub serves to space the two ratchetwheels apart.

Disposed between the two ratchet wheels 36a, 36b is a large rocker plate40 which is loosely fitted over the hub 31 and is mounted for movementrelative thereto. Said rocker plate is in turn connected to a mainconnecting rod 4| preferably provided with a needle bearing 42 whichaccommodates a pivoting stud 43 held in place by a nut 44. Theconnecting rod has an eccentric strap 45 at its upper end surrounding aneccentrically-mounted stud 48 forming part of an adjustable eccentricmechanism shown generally at 48. Said eccentric mechanism is keyed tothe main drive shaft 23 and serves to impart a reciprocatory motion tothe rocker plate 40 through connecting rod 4|.

An actuating pawl 50 is pivotally mounted at 5I on the rocker plate 40and normally engages the outer ratchet wheel 36b. A flat leaf spring 53secured to a post 54 normally presses against the pawl as shown andurges it into engagement with the outer ratchet wheel 36b. It will beobserved that the teeth on the outer ratchet wheel are cut as shown forengagement by the pawl 50 on the downward thrust of the rocker plate 40,for causing the plaiting roller I3 to be rotated thereby, whilepermitting the pawl to slip past the teeth on the upward stroke of therocker, in the manner customary with pawls and ratchets. The toothededge of the pawl 50 is preferably made in two segments, one of which ispreferably disposed approximately one-half ratchet tooth inwardly of theother, in the manner frequently done with this type of mechanism for thepurpose of causing the outer ratchet wheel 36b and the plaiting rollerI3 to turn selected distances within the limits of one-half tooth. Anauxiliary pawl 51 of the same general type as actuating pawl 50 ispivotally mounted on block 57a secured to the plate 3|. This pawl too isprovided with a fiat leaf spring 58 which urges it into engagement atall times with the teeth on the outer ratchet wheel 36b. It serves toprevent reverse rotation of the plaiting roller I3 when the actuatingpawl 50 is held out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 33b, in themanner presently to be described.

When the actuating pawl 50 engages the ratchet wheel 33b, as thusdescribed, the reciprocations of the rocker plate 49 impart intermittentrotative motion to the plaiting roller I 3, in timed relation with thereciprocatic-ns of the plaiting knife I9. This gives rise to anunplaiied space on the material or the formation of a modified plait,depending on the throw of the knife, the arc of rotation of the roller,and the timing of the two movements. The machine is preferably designedto turn the roller i3 at a surface speed equal to the speed of movementof the knife 53 on its effective stroke. In this way an unplaited spacemay be obtained merely by timing the roller to turn at the instant theknife engages it. and by giving the roller an arc of rotation which isat least equal to the effective stroke of the knife.

A modified plaiting effect may be obtained if the arc of rotation of theroller is less than the effective knife stroke. This would result insmall plaits laterally spaced from each other. ther .modified plaitingeffects may be obtained by vary- 'ing' the knife throw, the arc ofrotation of the .roller, and the timing of their movements.

As previously mentioned, in Crystal plaiting machines of the typeillustrated the plaiting operation is performed on the downward thrustof the plaiting knife I 9 as it slides across the surface of the rollerI3. For standard plaiting the roller preferably should be heldstationary. The size of the plait is usually about one-half the strokeof the knife after it engages the material. Also, with this type ofplaiting machine, the feeding operation is performed by the plaitingknife as it gathers the material and pushes itforward on the downwardthrust of the knife." To permit the formation of plaits in the customarymanner the present invention provides means for lifting theactuatingpawl 50 out of engagement with the outer ratchet Wheel 36b toan idling position as shown in Fig. 3. This is accomplished by means ofa cam arm '6I having a cam edge 62 which engages a small roller 63turning on a stud 63a on the actuating pawl 50. A stud bolt 64 securedto the base plate 3| protrudes through a slot 65 in the cam arm BI andsupports it between a shoulder 6441 on the bolt and the washer 66. Thestud bolt 64 also serves as the fixed pivot for one end of anintermediate link 61. The link 6'! also is connected to the forked endof a short connecting rod 68 which forms part of an eccentric strapmember 69 surrounding a fixed eccentric I mounted on the main driveshaft 23. The cam arm BI is also connected to a pivoted lever I mountedfor movement about a pivoting stud I6 secured to the base plate 3|. Theupper end of the lever I5 is connected to a coil spring I1 whichnormally holds the lever I5 and cam arm 6| in the position shown in Fig.2 of the drawings. A small cam plate 86 is mounted on the lever '55, asshown, said cam plate being provided on its inner face with a pin androller 8| adapted to ride on the rim 83 of a selector mechanism. Thelatter is best seen in Fig. 8. When the roller is in contact with therim 83, the parts of the spacing mechanism assume the operative positionshown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, wherein the actuating pawl 58 is inengagement with the outer ratchet wheel 36b and causes the plaitingroller I3 to rotate.

The selector mechanism has an index head which includes a plurality ofpins 86 shiftable into one of two positions by'the setting and resettingmechanism shown in Fig. 8. As seen in this figure, the pin 81 is inoperative position and pin 86 is in inoperative position. Likewise, the

pins shown in Fig. 2 are in inoperative position,

and the pins shown in Fig. 3 are in operative position. When the pins85, 81 are in operative position they engage the small cam plate 88 inthe manner shown in Fig. 3 and displace the lever I5 as shown, causingthe cam arm 6i to urge the actuating pawl 50 out of'engagement with theouter ratchet wheel 36b. This action prevents rotation of the plaitingroller and permits the formation of Crystal plaits in the customarymanner.

In order to lock the plaiting roller I3 against continued rotation underthe action of the plaiting knife sliding across its surface, the presentinvention also provides a locking pawl 95 which is pivoted at 9! to thebase plate SI. The pivoting stud BI is surrounded by an eccentric bush--ing 9Ia for magnifying the throw of the pawl 98. The locking pawl isalso provided with a roller chain'bushing 92 which is suitably mountedon the free end of the locking pawl and which engages the lower edge ofthe lever I5. A leaf spring -94 attached to a post 93 mounted in theplate 3| normally urges the locking pawl into engagement with the innerratchet wheel 36a. This ratchet wheel is provided with teeth of the typeshown in Figs. 2 and 3 for locking the plaiting roller against rotationin the direction of thrust of the plaiting knife on its operativestroke. An auxiliary pawl 5'! serves to lock the plaiting roller fromreverse rotation. When the cam plate 88 is not in contact with the pins86, 8'! of I is provided with a stub shaft 96 which is pinned 'of pins86, 81.

to a boss in the base plate 3|. It has a hub 9'! mounted for rotation onthe shaft 96, and a small ratchet wheel 98 which is fastened to the hubby means of screws 99. The small ratchet wheel 98 is spaced from theplate 3| by a small rocker plate I08. The hub has a peripheral shoulderI UI which in turn is provided with a plurality of holes I02 into whichis slidingly fitted a plurality Each pin has a pair of peripheralnotches H13, I84 for receiving an expansion garter spring I05. Thegarter spring is mounted in a peripheral slot in the rim 83. A bushingI06 is fastened to the shaft 96 by a set screw I01 and holds the smallrocker I00, ratchet wheel 98 and hub 91 in assembled relation.

A hand crank I08 is mounted on the outer end of the stub shaft 96 and isadapted for'free rotation. The handle I89 of said crank is provided witha spring pressed plunger I I0 slidable therein, which normally assumesthe position shown in Fig. 8. The plunger may be displaced inwardlywithin the limits of the pin and slot III for the purpose of shiftingthe position of the pin 81 to the position of the pin 86 in Fig, 8. Allof the pins 86, 81 may be restored to the position of pin 81 by means ofthe resetting mechanism shown. This mechanism comprises an annular plateIIZ which is slidable axially along the hub within the limits of thecut-out H3. The plate H2 is connected to a small hand knob II4 by meansof a pair of screws II5. Each screw is provided with an encirclingcompression coil spring H6 which seats on shoulders III provided on thehub and also presses against the annular plate I I2. The hand knob H4 ismanually slidable along the shaft 96 for the purpose of shifting all ofthe pins 86, 81 to the position occupied by the pin 81 in Fig. 8,thecoil springs II6 then restoring the knob H4 and plate II2 to theposition illustrated in this figure.

The small rocker I00 is mounted for movement about the shaft 96 and iscaused to reciprocate by a link I28 connected, through intermediate link61 and connecting rod I58, to the eccentric mechanism 69, Ill. The smallrocker I00 carries an actuating pawl I2I which engages the teeth of thesmall ratchet wheel 98 and imparts an intermittent rotative motion. Thepawl I2I is urged into engagement with the ratchet by a leaf spring I22.The pawl I2I also is preferably provided with two segments offsetone-half tooth from each other. It should be noted that the fixedeccentric I0 imparts a uniformly intermittent rotation to the index head(comprising the hub 91, pins 86, 81 and associated rotative parts) ofthe selector mechanism, without regard to the throw of the plaitingknife or the arc of rotation of the roller,both of which are adjustable.

The size of the plaits formed on the plaiting machine herein shown maybe varied within certain limits by varying the effective stroke of theplaiting knife I 9. This is accomplished by means of a double eccentricmechanism best seen in Figs. 4 and 5. An inner eccentric I25 is securedto the main drive shaft 23 and rotates therewith. A second eccentric I26of like throw surrounds the first eccentric and is connectable therewithby an axially movable pin or plunger I21. The second eccentric I26 hasan annular flange i28 provided with a plurality of holes I29, I29a of asize to receive the pin I21. A boss I30 n the inner eccentric I25 has abore I3I which accommodates the spring pressed plunger or pin I21 asshown. The plunger is manually movable outwardly against the action ofthe spring to disengage the two eccentrics.

When the eccentrics I25, I26 occupy the relative positions shown inFigs. 4 and 5, the plaiting knife receives its greatest throw. If theeccentrics are rotated relatively to each other and the pin inserted inhole I 29a, the eccentrics are slightly neutralized and the knife throwis correspondingly shortened. Any of the other holes on the flange I28may be employed for further variation of the knife throw. The shortestthrow would be obtained with the pin I2! in hole I291).

The are of rotation of the plaiting roller I3 on any one effectivestroke of the rocker 40 may also be varied by means of an adjustableeccentric shown generally at 48 in Figs. 2 and 4. This eccentriccomprises a T stud 46 which has a rectangular head I35 fitting into aslot formed in the body of the fixed eccentric I0 and movabletherealong. The head I35 has a tapered hole therethrough whichaccommodates a screw I36. The body portion of the T stud protrudesthrough a slot I36a in an eccentric cap member I31 which fits thereover,said cap also having a pair of notched ears which surround theunthreaded ends of the screw and hold it in position. The cap in turn isfastened to the eccentric body 16 by means of screws not shown. Thestrap 45 on the upper end of the connecting rod 4| is provided with abushing I38 which is keyed to it. The bushing provides a bearing surfacefor the body portion of the T stud as it rotates with the main driveshaft. A washer I39 and bolt I40 hold the parts in assembled relation.Each end of the screw I36 is provided with a screw-driver slot I4! forease in making the adjustments.

It will be observed that the T stud 46 may be moved nearer or furtheraway from the axis of the drive shaft merely by turning the screw I36.This will serve to lessen or increase the eccentricity of the drive andwill, of course, impart a lesser or greater movement to the rocker plate40. In this way the arc of rotation of the roller may be simply andeasily varied by means of adjustments of the screw I36.

Operation When all of the pins 86, 81 of the index head are in theposition of pin 8'! in Fig, 8, they will successively engage the smallcam plate 86 as the index head rotates and will urge the pivoted lever Ito the position shown in Fig. 3. This in turn will cause the cam arm 6|to unseat actuating pawl 50. Simultaneously the locking pawl 90 willengage the inner ratchet wheel 36a. and hold the plaiting roller innon-rotative position. With this disposition of parts the Crystalplaiting machine herein described will function in the conventionalmanner and will form Crystal plaits as indicated at A in Fig. 9. Whenall of the pins 86, 81 have been individually pressed inwardly by meansof the hand crank I08 and spring plunger [I0 of the selector mechanism,so that the pins all occup the position of pin 86 in Fig, 8, the severalparts of the spacing mechanism will occupy the relative positions shownin Fig. 2, and the cam plate 86 will ride idly along the shoulder IDI onthe hub 91. In this position the locking pawl will be displaced out ofengagement with the ratchet wheel 36a and the actuating pawl 50 will bebrought into engagement with the ratchet wheel 36?). Hence, with eachrotation of the main drive shaft the downward thrust of the large rocker40 will be transmitted to the plaiting roller and the latter given anintermittent rotation.

If one-half of the pins on the index head, forming a semi-circle, shouldbe pressed inwardly out of contact with the cam plate and the other halfshould remain in an operative position similar to that occupied by pin61 in Fig. 8, on each rotation of the index head there will be a plaitedsection on the material and an unplaited space, providing the arc ofrotation of the plaiting roller is at least equal to the throw of theplaiting knife. Of course, it remains within the province of theoperator to select any variety of plaited and unplaited areas that hedesires within the limits of the number of pins on the index head. Inthe preferred form of the invention the index head moves one pin or onetooth on ratchet wheel 98 with each rotation of the main drive shaft 23,while the plaiting knife is making one effective stroke; also the largerocker 40 will make one effective stroke with each rotation of the maindrive shaft, and, each stroke will correspond to one pin on the indexhead.

As previously explained, to provide an unplaited space on the materialit is necessary that the elfective throw of the plaiting knife I9 be nogreater than the arc of rotation of the plaiting roller. As theadjustable double eccentric mechanism shown in Figs, 4 and 5 of thedrawings and bearing reference numerals I25I3I affords means for varyingthe knife throw for varying the size of the plaits, it is necessary thatthe adjustable eccentric mechanism shown generally at 48 for the largerocker should also be varied by means of screw I36 to change the arc ofrotation of the roller with each change in the size of plaits, ifunplaited spaces are desired.

It is possible, of course, to obtain various other modified plaitingeffects by changing the arc of rotation of the roller with relation tothe throw of the plaiting knife, and one such effect would be smallplaits between spaces if the knife throw exceeds slightly the arc ofrotation of the roller. It will be understood that an extensive varietyof plaiting effects can be obtained with various combinations of pinsettings on the index head, eccentric adjustments of the knife, androtation arc adjustments of the roller.

While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it;will be apparent that various changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of theappended claims.

asaasac What I claim is:

1. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding roller overwhich material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and forplaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knifeacross a portion of the surface of said roller, and a mechanism forselectively, intermittently rotating said roller whereby to vary therelative movement between said knife and roller and thereby to vary thecharacter of the plaiting operation.

'2. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover Which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating with said roller for engaging and feeding said material andfor plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of theknife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism forintermittently rotating H said roller in the direction of effectivemovement of the plaiting knife, and means for selectively controllingthe rotation of the roller, whereby to vary the character of theplaiting operation.

3. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a 2

plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, aplaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material andplaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knifeacross a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotatingsaid roller at times in the direction of effective move-. ment of theplaiting knife during the operation of the machine, and means forstopping the rotation of the roller at other times without stoppingtheplaiting operation.

4. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating therewith for engaging and feedin said material and forplaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knifeacross a portion of the surface of said roller, and a mechanism for attimes rotating said roller in the direction of effective movement of theplaiting knife and through an arc of rotation approximating theeffective knife throw, where by to prevent the formation of plaits whilecon tinuing the feeding operation.

5. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocatingknife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material andfor plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of saidknife across a portion of the roller in one direction, and a mechanismcooperating with said plaiting roller for intermittently rotating it attimes in one direction in timed relation to the reciprocations of theplaiting knife whereby to vary the relative movement between said knifeand roller and thereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

6. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and forplaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knifeacross said roller, means for rotating said roller at times in thedirection of effective movement of the plaiting knife, and a selectormechanism for automatically bringing said rotation means into and out ofoperative connection with said surface of said roller, whereby to varythe relative movement between said knife and roller and thereby to varythe character of the plaiting operation.

7. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperatingtherewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by means ofthe relative movement of said knife across said roller, means forrotating said roller at times in the direction of elfective movement ofthe plaiting knife, means for arrest ing rotation of said roller atother times, and a selector mechanism for automatically bringing one ofsaid rotation means and said arresting means into and out of operativeconnection with said roller.

8. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperatingtherewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by themovement of the plaiting knife across a portion of the surface of saidroller in one direction, means for rotating said roller at times in thedirection of effective movement of the plaiting knife, means forarresting the rotation of said roller at other times, a selectormechanism for automatically bringing one or the other of said arrestingmeans and rotation means into operative relation with the plaitingroller, and means for simultaneously rendering the other of saidarresting means and rotation means inoperative.

9. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and forplaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knifeacross said roller, means for rotating said roller attimes in thedirection of effective movement of the plaiting knife, a selectormechanism for automatically bringing said rotation means into and out ofoperative connection with said roller, and a variable means on saidselector for varying the period of operative connection of the rotationmeans and roller.

10. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating plaitingknife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting thesame by the relative movement of the knife across a portion of thesurface of said roller in one direction, means for rotating said rollerat times in the direction of the effective stroke of the plaiting knife,means for arresting the rotation of said roller at other times, avariable selector mechanism for automatically bringing one or the otherof said rotation means and said arresting means into operativeconnection with the plaiting roller, and means on said variable selectorfor varying the period of operative connection of both said arrestingmeans and rotation means with the plaiting roller,

11. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating plaitin knifecooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the sameby the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface ofsaid roller in one direction, means for rotating said roller at times inthe direction of the effectivestroke of the plaiting knife, means forarresting the rotation of said roller at other times, a variableselector mechanism for automaticaliy bringing one or the other of saidrotation means and said arresting means into operative connection withthe plaiting roller, and manualiy operable means for varying saidselector whereby to vary the period of operative connection of both saidarresting means and rotation means with the plaiting roller.

12. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and forplaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knifeacross a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotatingsaid roller at times in the direction of the effective movement of theplaiting knife, and means for selectively varying the arc of rotation ofsaid roller.

13. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocatingplaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding saidmaterial and for plaiting the same by the action of the relativemovement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller inone direction, means for selectively varying the throw of said plaitingknife to vary the size of the plaits formed thereby, a mechanismcooperating with said plaiting roller for intermittently rotating it attimes in one direction in timed relation to the reciprocations of theplaiting knife, and means for selectively varying the arc of rotation ofsaid plaiting roller on each intermittent movement thereof.

14. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocatingplaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding saidmaterial and for plaiting the same by the relative movement of the knifeacross a portion of the surface of said roller in one direction, a driveshaft with a first eccentric mechanism thereon for reciprocating theplaiting knife, a second eccentric mechanism on said shaft, meansoperable by said second eccentric mechanism for intermittently rotatingsaid roller at times in the direction of the effective stroke of theplaiting knife and in timed relation thereto to vary the relativemovement between said knife and roller, and means for selectivelyvarying the eccentricity of each said eccentric, whereby to vary theeffective stroke of the knife and the arc of each intermittent rotationof the roller.

15. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding roller overwhich material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and forplaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knifeacross a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotatingsaid roller at times in the direction of effective movement of theplaiting knife to vary the relative movement between said knife androller while continuing the feeding operation, said mechanism comprisinga ratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and a pawlmovable by said rocker, and means for selectively bringing said pawlinto operative engagement with the ratchet wheel to rotate said roller,whereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

16. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller, over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperatingtherewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the actionof the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface ofsaid roller, a mechanism for rotating said roller at times in thedirection of effective movement of the plaiting knife comprising aratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and an actuatingpawl movable by said rocker, means for arresting rotation of said rollerat other times comprising a second ratchet Wheel connected to saidroller and a pivoted locking pawl movable into engagement therewith, anda selector mechanism for automatically bringing one of said pawls intooperative connection with its ratchet wheel while simultaneously movingthe other of said pawls out of operative engagement.

17. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller, over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperatingtherewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the actionof the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface ofsaid roller, a mechanism for rotating said roller at times in thedirection of effective movement of the plaiting knife comprising aratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and an actuatingpawl movable by said rocker, means for arresting rotation of said rollerat other times comprising a second ratchet wheel on said roller and apivoted locking pawl movable into engagement therewith, a pivoted levermember adapted automatically to move one of said pawls into operativeconnection with its ratchet wheel and simultaneously to move the otherof said pawls out of operative engagement, and a selector mechanismhaving variable cam means thereon for moving said lever to vary theperiod of operative engagement of each said pawl.

18. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperatingtherewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the actionof the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the surfaceof said roller, means for rotating said roller at times in the directionof effective movement of the plaiting knife, means for arrestingrotation of said roller at other times, and a selector mechanismcomprising a rotative index head having a plurality of axially andindividually movable pins therein serving as cam means for automaticallymoving said rotation means and said arresting means into and out ofoperative connection with said roller.

19. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperatingtherewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the actionof the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the surfaceof said roller, means for rotating said roller at times in the directionof effective movement of the plaiting knife, means for arrestingrotation of said roller at other times, and a selector mechanismcomprising a rotative index head having a plurality of axially andindividually movable pins therein serving as cam means for automaticallymoving said rotation means and said arresting means into and out ofoperative connection with said roller, and a manually operable settingand resetting mechanism for selectively varying the relative positionsof said pin to vary their cam action.

20. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller, over whichmaterial to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperatingtherewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the actionof the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface ofsaid roller, a, mechanism for rotating said roller at times in thedirection of effective movement of the plaiting knife comprising aratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and an actuatingpawl movable by said rocker, means for arresting rotation of said rollerat other times comprising a second ratchet wheel on said roller and apivoted locking pawl movable into engagement therewith, a pivoted levermember adapted on displacement to move one of said pawls into operativeconnection with its ratchet wheel and simultaneously to move the otherof said pawls out of operative engagement, and a selector mechanismcomprising a rotative index head having a plurality of axially andindividually movable pins therein serving as cam means for selectivelydisplacing said pivoted lever to vary the period of operative engagementof each said pawl.

21. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting rollerover which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocatingplaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding saidmaterial and for plaiting the same, adjustable eccentric means for saidknife for selectively varying its efiective throw, means forintermittently rotating said roller at times in the direction ofeffective movement of said knife comprising a ratchet wheel on saidroller, a reciprocating rocker and a pawl movable by said rocker, anadjustable eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said rocker and forvarying the arc of each intermittent movement thereof, and a selectormechanism comprising a uniformly intermittently rotated index headhaving variable cam means thereon for selectively bringing said pawlinto and out of operative connection with the ratchet wheel, whereby tovary the character of the plaiting operation.

22. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding roller overwhich material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knifecooperating with said roller for engaging and feeding said material andfor plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of saidknife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism forintermittently rotating said roller at times in the direction ofeffective movement of the plaiting knife to vary the relative movementbetween said knife and roller While continuing the feeding operation,and a selector mechanism comprising a rotative index head having aplurality of axially and individually movable pins therein adapted toact as cam means for bringing said roller rotation mechanism into andout of operative connection with said roller, and means forintermittently rotating said index head comprising a ratchet thereon, areciprocating rocker, and a pawl engaging said ratchet and movable bysaid rocker.

JOHN J. CAHILL.

